Skilled-based, finite pool wagering game and method of conducting the same

Abstract

A system and method wherein players play skill-based games over player terminals linked to a central system forming a game network. If the player accomplishes the skill-based task within an allotted time period, the player wins a game award and bonus prize. If the player fails to accomplish the skill-based task within the allotted time period, the player does not win the pre-determined game prize and the bonus prize is placed into a bonus prize pool which is available to be won by any player on the network who subsequently accomplishes a skill-based task in an allotted time period. The bonus prize pool increases as players over the network fail to accomplish the skill-based tasks within the allotted time period. The system and method allows games of chance based on finite pools to maintain proper winning percentages. Random number generator skill-based games may also benefit from the system and method.

1 . A method of conducting a skill-based game comprising:
 establishing a finite pool of game outcomes including monetary prizes;   accepting player wagers or ticket purchases via a player terminal in communication with a central system, said central system in communication with a plurality of player terminals forming a game network, said player terminals including at least a display and player interface;   selecting a monetary prize amount and game outcome from said finite pool of game outcomes;   presenting to the player a monetary prize that may be won if the player wins the skill-based game in an allotted time period;   via the display, presenting the skill-based game to the player;   providing an allotted time period for the player to attempt to accomplish said skill-based game via said player interface;   if the player wins the skill-based game in the allotted time period, awarding the player said monetary prize and any bonus prize pool amount; and   if the player fails to win the skill-based game in the allotted time period, not awarding the player said monetary prize and adding said monetary prize amount to said bonus prize pool which is awarded to a next player on any player terminal on the game network to win a skill-based game in an allotted time period.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising establishing the skill-based game on one or more of the following:
 (i) memory; 
 (ii) trivia; 
 (iii) dexterity; 
 (iv) hand-eye coordination; and 
 (v) pattern recognition. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising presenting a timer to the player via said display. 
     
     
         4 . A method of conducting a skill-based game comprising:
 establishing a theoretical payout rate based on perfect skill play;   accepting player wagers via a player terminal in communication with a central system, said central system in communication with a plurality of player terminals to form a game network, said player terminals including at least a display and player interface;   randomly determining a game outcome including monetary prize amount;   via the display, presenting the skill-based game to the player;   providing an allotted time period for the player to attempt to accomplish said skill-based game via said player interface;   if the player wins the skill-based game in the allotted time period, awarding the player said monetary prize and any bonus prize pool amount; and   if the player fails to win the skill-based game in the allotted time period, not awarding the player said monetary prize and adding said monetary prize amount to said bonus prize pool which is awarded to a next player on any player terminal on the game network to win a skill-based game in an allotted time period.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising establishing the skill-based game on one or more of the following:
 memory; 
 (ii) trivia; 
 (iii) dexterity; 
 (iv) hand-eye coordination; and 
 (v) pattern recognition. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising presenting a timer to the player via said display. 
     
     
         7 . A system comprising:
 a series of networked player terminals wherein said player terminals include at least a display and player user interface; and   a central system in communication with said player terminals and configured to: a) establish a finite pool of game outcomes including monetary prizes; b) accept player wagers or ticket purchases via a player terminal in communication with said central system, said central system in communication with a plurality of player terminals to form a game network, said player terminals including at least a display and player interface; c) select a monetary prize amount and game outcome from said finite pool of game outcomes; d) present to the player a monetary prize that may be won if the player wins the skill-based game in an allotted time period; e) via the display, present the skill-based game to the player; f) provide an allotted time period for the player to attempt to accomplish said skill-based game via said player interface; g) if the player wins the skill-based game in the allotted time period, award the player said monetary prize and any bonus prize pool amount; and h) if the player fails to win the skill-based game in the allotted time period, not award the player said monetary prize and add said monetary prize amount to said bonus prize pool which is awarded to a next player on any player terminal on the game network to win a skill-based game in an allotted time period.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said central controller is further configured to establish the skill-based game on one or more of the following:
 (i) memory; 
 (ii) trivia; 
 (iii) dexterity; 
 (iv) hand-eye coordination; and 
 (v) pattern recognition. 
 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said central controller is further configured to present a timer to the player via said display. 
     
     
         10 . A system comprising:
 a series of networked player terminals wherein said player terminals include at least a display and player user interface;   a central controller in communication with said player terminals and configured to: a) establish a theoretical payout rate based on perfect skill play; b) accept player wagers via a player terminal in communication with a central system, said central system in communication with a plurality of player terminals to form a game network, said player terminals including at least a display and player interface; c) randomly determine a game outcome including monetary prize amount; d) via the display, present the skill-based game to the player; e) provide an allotted time period for the player to attempt to accomplish said skill-based game via said player interface; f) if the player wins the skill-based game in the allotted time period, award the player said monetary prize and any bonus prize pool amount; and g) if the player fails to win the skill-based game in the allotted time period, not award the player said monetary prize and add said monetary prize amount to said bonus prize pool which is awarded to a next player on any player terminal on the game network to win a skill-based game in an allotted time period.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said central controller is further configured to establish the skill-based game on one or more of the following:
 (i) memory; 
 (ii) trivia; 
 (iii) dexterity; 
 (iv) hand-eye coordination; and 
 (v) pattern recognition. 
 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein said central controller is further configured to present a timer to the player via said display.